‘Halo 5: Memories Of Reach’ Free DLC Released To Xbox One
The latest free content update for Halo 5 just hit the Xbox One. Memories of Reach is now live with an all-new Arena map, Infection mode, new textures for Forge, and much more. REQ packs have been tweaks as well to increase the chance at unlocking armor, weapons, and other items.
The Memories of Reach release comes with new armor based on characters from Halo: Reach. The Vigilant armor worn by Jun, Jorge’s Indomitable armor, the skull-faced Wrath armor donned by Emile, and the Intruder duds sported by Kat can now all be unlocked via REQ packs earned while play Halo 5 multiplayer.
There are some Reach-themed weapons as well with Jorge’s Chaingun available as a Mythic unlock. There are also “Noble” weapon skin unlocks for the Assault Rifle and Pistol along with ODST, Blue Team, Osiris Team, and the Spirit of Fire.
The addition of so many new REQs to unlock for Halo 5 players over the course of six content releases have resulted in 343 Industries updating REQ packs.
“The first two slots in the packs will still guarantee permanent items, but will no longer grant emblems,” the developer revealed in the patch notes. “This means that your chance of getting other permanent REQs such as Power Weapon Certifications, Weapon Skins, Armors, Helmets, and others has substantially improved as long you haven’t already unlocked them. While the third slot in these REQ packs previously only granted one-time-use REQs, it now offers a large chance at dropping Emblems as well. Finally, in general, players should see that these REQ packs will award rarer single use REQs more often.”
In lieu of a new Warzone map, Halo 5 is receiving the Infection game mode, as covered here. There are a number of changes being made to what players have expected from past iterations of the zombies-styles gametype. It comes with conversions of three existing maps – “Riptide,” “Plaza,” “Overgrowth” renamed to “R.I.P. Tide,” “Nerve Center,” and “Malignant” – plus a handful of community-created maps.
Meanwhile, Halo 5 also receives the mid-sized “Statis” map to be used in Arena matches. It features a three-lane layout with some asymmetrical features. A Rocket Launcher is located in the “Top Middle” portion of the map while an Overshield power-up can be acquired at “Bottom Mid.”
The map has a different look from most Arena maps so far with a crashed research station on a remote planet. The wreckage is iced over with bodies and other items strewn across the map.
Halo 5 players will also be happy to know a set of matchmaking preferences has been added. Players can choose from the following three options before entering a playlist.
- Balanced (default): Search for a match based on your fireteam’s skill and network connection quality.
- Expanded: Widen search parameters to find the first available match with reasonable skill matching and network connection quality.
- Focused: Narrow search to find the best match based on your fireteam’s skill and connection. Search times may be longer than normal.
Even the Halo 5 campaign has received some tweaks with the single-player difficulty bumped up slightly while the two-player difficult was made a little easier. The Warden is also easier to dodge now.
Forge received some exciting updates as well for map makers. The in-game Halo 5 tool now allows players to choose the texture of primitive building blocks between metal, concrete, wood, Covenant, Forerunner, and marble. Support for material overlays was also added with options for “Grime” and “Frost” overlays.
There are way more changes than can be listed in a single article, so check out the official patch notes at Halo Waypoint for the full details.
What do you think of the Memories of Reach release for Halo 5? Sound off in the comments below.
[Image via 343 Industries]
